Samasati Retreat-Costa Rica



Note that rates given below are for example only, and we dont update rates as these change all the time. Let me know if you are interested in this trip, and we will obtain updated rates for you Samasati Nature Retreat Samasati is an Eco Resort, ideal for nature lovers, birdwatchers, group processes and individuals looking for adventure, relaxation and renewal. "Samasati's greatest distraction is its very beauty and its comforts." - American Way Magazine Nature Hikes Bird Watching Beach Activities Yoga Workshops Meditation Retreats Dolphin Connections Massage Sessions And Much More Samasati is an exquisite retreat facility situated on 250 acres of virgin tropical rainforest overlooking the Caribbean Sea in the marvelous country of Costa Rica. The artful balance achieved within its environment makes Samasati Nature Retreat an ideal destination for nature lovers, group activities, or the individual, to experience physical, psychological and spiritual renewal. Imagine being there... walking earthen paths through untouched, pristine rainforest. Listen to the orchestra of bird and insect songs. Feel the caress of a gentle breeze rippling through gigantic leaves of ancient trees. Smell the wafting fragrance of countless flowers. Deep in the jungle, come upon streams, pools and waterfalls. The primary and secondary rainforest is natural habitat to hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and even jaguars. At 650 feet elevation, the climate is delightfully cool even on hot days. And during the Green season, refreshing tropical rains create a forest palette even more vibrant and picturesque. Imagine being there... simple and relaxed, resting your eyes upon the turquoise sea shimmering in dazzling sunlight. At any time Samasati is perfect for rest, rejuvenation, and contemplation. An ongoing program of meditation techniques, yoga, individual sessions, classes, and workshops is offered year round. Travelling to Samasati If you are arriving in San José after 2 pm, we suggest that you spend the night in a local hotel, and travel to Samasati Nature Retreat the following day. Many hotels are available in the city at different prices. If desired, Samasati can arrange room reservations and airport pick up. Please try to send us your flight information at least two weeks in advance. Transportation to Samasati Samasati is easily accessible. If you do not have a vehicle of your own, we can arrange the following transfer options for you: Private Minivan From the airport or from a San José hotel direct to Samasati $120 (Up to 6 people) Private Minibus From the airport or from a San José hotel direct to Samasati $240 (From 7 to 18 people) Private Bus From the airport or from San José hotel direct to Samasati $500 (From 19 to 40 people) Public Transportation Taxi from the airport or from a San José hotel to the Caribbean Bus Terminal in Barrio Amón (20 minutes), public bus ticket to Puerto Viejo de Limón (3 to 4 hrs), exit at the bus stop in Puerto Viejo for Samasati pickup and transfer. Samasati Accommodations Nine Caribbean style Bungalows are nestled into lovely tropical gardens. Built with precious woods exquisitely polished, all have private bathrooms with hot water and spacious verandas overlooking the jungle and the sea. Some have lofts, enabling use as a suite... with the bed upstairs and living room downstairs... or to accomodate three to four people. Beds have high quality single, queen or king size mattresses. The Guest House is located in a sweet jungle valley favored by toucans, monkeys and dazzling butterflies. Five double rooms, each with two single beds, open onto a spacious veranda with cozy, inviting hammocks. Shared bathrooms with hot water are located at each end of the Guest House. Samasati's water system is supplied by fresh springs on the property. Please note that our ecologically sound gray disposal system requires the use of environmental friendly biological products only. Costa Rica is a leading manufacturer of natural beauty and hygiene products that can be purchased at Samasati Nature Retreat. The Houses Three fully furnished private houses offer the ultimate in Samasati Nature Retreat accomodations. Each are of unique, original design and occupy special locations, close enough to the main facilities but wonderfully secluded. All are blessed with breathtaking views of the jungle and the sea. These houses are available to rent on a monthly basis. Namaste House is located between two huge Javillo trees. It is 250 meters from the restaurant. Three floors, each with bathroom (hot water) and veranda, provide four bedrooms with king or queen size beds. A fully equipped kitchen, dining room, and living room, are on the ground floor. Birdwatcher House is in the thick jungle, 150 meters from the Group Meditation Hall. There are two spacious bedrooms on the second floor, and on the ground floor is a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom (hot water), and dining room opening onto a lovely terrace. Yucca's House is built on the top of a cliff with spectacular tree top views of the rain forest. Six hundred meters from the restaurant alongside a picturesque old trail, it has one floor with two bedrooms, one bathroom (hot water), a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, and large terrace. Activities at Samasati Nature Retreat Yoga Classes and Meditation Hatha Yoga classes are offered twice a day, for absolute beginners and for intermediate students. Different Meditation techniques are held daily, morning and evenings, at Samasati Nature Retreat. From Vipassana to Active Meditation techniques, the range of choice is wide and interesting. For people new to Meditation, the sessions are carefully explained and guided. Bird Watching A symphony of bird songs is Samasati's special sound track. Hundreds of different types of birds have been spotted by bird watchers. Colorful parrots and toucans are a frequent sight, but many more await you in the rainforest. River and Sea Kayaking Kayak the rivers, creeks, and lagoons of the Gandoca - Manzanillo Refuge, and then paddle out to the Caribbean Marine Refuge, all within a short distance from Samasati Nature Retreat. Access beaches, coral reefs, and islands that only kayaks can reach. Leave nothing behind but ripples Scuba Diving Dive beautiful living reefs, coral heads and rock gardens, tubes, caves and swinthroughs. PADI open water certification is available. Dives include equipment and guide. Surfing The gigantic wave, the 'Salsa Brava', attracts surfers from all over the world to the village of Puerto Viejo, four miles south of Samasati Nature Retreat. Beaches On the north side of Puerto Viejo, a long strech of black volcanic beach bordered by tall palm trees offers a special contrast of colors. South of the village, stunning white sand beaches bordering Gandocha - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, run for ten miles. Horseback Riding on the Beach Exquisitely trained horses and an expert bilingual guide/teacher will accompany you in this adventurous excursion on the wild beach. At first, in order to make friends and get used to the horse's pace, you will be taken on a brief horse's walk in the nearby jungle, going through local settlements and cocoa plantations. You will then come to the beach, where the horses can either keep walking, trotting, or take you for a breath-taking gallop. The horses can go as far as Punta Uva for the fastest riders or to Punta Cocles for the non-experts. Either choice will be an exciting and unforgetable experience! Of course, a stop for swimming, resting, and refreshments on the beach is included in the day-program. Hiking at Samasati Biological Reserve Samasati's virgin rainforest harbors thousands of known life forms and thousands yet to be described. Resonating with the songs of birds and the screams of the howler monkeys at dawn, the rainforest is quiet in the heat of the day, its stillness punctuated by the insect-like call of poison dart frogs, the rasping of cicadas, or the whistled notes of wrens and antbirds. The dark, cool interior of the primary forest is surprisingly free of entangling vegetation. Only where light manages to filter trough the interlocking canopy to the forest floor does vegetation proliferate. Walking into the rainforest is like taking a step back in time. The modern world and all its stresses fade into insignificance. Dolphin Connections What an opportunity! You can go with a motor boat, just a mile from the Cahuita coast in the blue Caribbean waters, where you'll find yourself surrounded by playful Bottlenose, Atlantic Spotted, and Tucuxi Dolphins. Our experienced guide will make the trip unforgettable! Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve Named using Indigenous words, Hitoy means covered with musk, and Cerere means clear water. This impressive Biological Reserve has a surface of 9.154 hectares and is part of the " Biosphere la Amistad", declared Humanity Heritage by Unesco. Splendid waterfall. Swimming. Sunbathing, lying on the big musky rocks is a real treat and so is watching the water-rainbow. Indian Reserves The western region of Samasati Nature Retreat is bordered by the BriBri Indigenous Reserve. Further into the forest and higher into the mountains is the Cabecar Indigenous Reserve. The Cabecar and BriBri Indians are amongst the oldest inhabitants of Costa Rica. Their community and their tribal customs are intact and well shielded from the curiosity of the average tourist. Their elders and shamans keep alive an ancient tradition of healing based on plant spirits and drumming. Cahuita National Park Cahuita National Park is four miles north of Samasati. It is a protected natural area of unspoiled white beaches and dense jungle that extends to the quaint village of Cahuita. A well maintained jungle path offers an adventurous opportunity to be amongst the wildlife, the vibrant plant life, and colorful tropical flowers. Snorkeling is some of the best in the area, and walks on the gorgeous palm beaches are unforgettable. Tortugero National Park Tortugero National Park is 30 miles north of Samasati. It is one of the most famous natural reserves in Costa Rica. It is a spectacular labyrinth of canals, some navigable. The beaches are the most important nesting site for green turtles in the entire western half of the Caribbean. Two day tours are easily organized from Samasati. The night is spent in a attractive cabin in Tortugero village. Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is ten miles south of Samasati Nature Retreat. Streams and canals wind deep into a jungle, which is the seed bed of all plant and animal species of the region. From a boat or a kayak, one can venture forth into a mangrove wilderness. If you are quiet and attentive, you will see manatees, crocodiles, and turtles. In the jungle canopy above, there are sloths, playful monkeys, and delightful birds . Approximate 04 All Inclusive Prices They include accommodation and three daily vegetarian meals. Bungalow (private bath) Single occupancy $115 per day + tax Double occupancy $75 per person per day + tax Triple occupancy $60 per person per day + tax Guest House (shared bath) Single occupancy $65 per day + tax Double occupancy $49 per person per day + tax Daily Activities Yoga Class $10 Meditation $5 Massage session $45 Samasati Restaurant Spacious and comfortable, the open air restaurant at Samasati Nature Retreat is an impressive native wood and bamboo structure with high vaulted ceilings and split level floors, overlooking a gorgeous view of jungle and sea. Delicious and abundant vegetarian meals are served three times daily... "buffet style". Homemade breads and marmalades, fresh tropical fruits, yogurt, granola, juices, and eggs by order are offered in the morning. Lunch is a varied display of the best Costa Rican food... rice, beans, fresh salads, and all kinds of local organic roots and plantains, baked, fried or mashed. The evening dinner is a real treat, always special at Samasati Restaurant ! Soup, rice, barley, or homemade pasta, an international main course (French quiche, Indian palak paneer, Italian lasagna or eggplant Parmesan, vegetarian burgers and more!), sautÈed or baked vegetables, and wonderful desserts! Imagine a chocolate cake made from local organic chocolate, or a fruit dessert made from organic pineapple, banana, mango, passion or star fruit! Samasati's bar serves a great variety of fresh juices, tropical cocktails, wines, and beers. If you have any special needs... we'll be able to provide for you... just let us know. We provide discounted air to Costa Rica..the rates here are subject to change so check in with us